Meteorological Technology International
  • News
    • A-E
      • Agriculture
      • Automated Weather Stations
      • Aviation
      • Climate Measurement
      • Data
      • Developing Countries
      • Digital Applications
      • Early Warning Systems
      • Extreme Weather
    • G-P
      • Hydrology
      • Lidar
      • Lightning Detection
      • New Appointments
      • Nowcasting
      • Numerical Weather Prediction
      • Polar Weather
    • R-S
      • Radar
      • Rainfall
      • Remote Sensing
      • Renewable Energy
      • Satellites
      • Solar
      • Space Weather
      • Supercomputers
    • T-Z
      • Training
      • Transport
      • Weather Instruments
      • Wind
      • World Meteorological Organization
      • Meteorological Technology World Expo
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    • April 2023
    • September 2022
    • April 2022
    • September 2021
    • Archive Issues
    • Subscribe Free!
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Jobs
    • Browse Industry Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook
  • Sign-up for Free Weekly E-Newsletter
  • Meet the Editors
  • Contact Us
  • Media Pack
LinkedIn Facebook
Subscribe
Meteorological Technology International
  • News
      • Agriculture
      • Automated Weather Stations
      • Aviation
      • Climate Measurement
      • Data
      • Developing Countries
      • Digital Applications
      • Early Warning Systems
      • Extreme Weather
      • Hydrology
      • Lidar
      • Lightning Detection
      • New Appointments
      • Nowcasting
      • Numerical Weather Prediction
      • Polar Weather
      • Radar
      • Rainfall
      • Remote Sensing
      • Renewable Energy
      • Satellites
      • Solar
      • Space Weather
      • Supercomputers
      • Training
      • Transport
      • Weather Instruments
      • Wind
      • World Meteorological Organization
      • Meteorological Technology World Expo
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    1. September 2023
    2. April 2023
    3. September 2022
    4. April 2022
    5. Archive Issues
    6. Subscribe Free!
    Featured
    August 10, 2023

    In this Issue – September 2023

    By Web TeamAugust 10, 2023
    Recent

    In this Issue – September 2023

    August 10, 2023

    In this Issue – April 2023

    April 18, 2023

    In this Issue – September 2022

    August 12, 2022
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Jobs
    • Browse Industry Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
Facebook LinkedIn
Meteorological Technology International
Digital Applications

Meteorological partnership rolls out storm notification app for Kenya

Dan SymondsBy Dan SymondsFebruary 4, 20223 Mins Read
Share LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Email
Credit: Pixabay
Share
LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Email

Kenyan residents are now able to access a new free-to-use mobile application that acts as an early warning system for severe storm events throughout the country.

Working in partnership with the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD), scientists at the University of Leeds and the National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS) were able to develop the Forecasting African STorms Application (FASTA) by drawing on nowcasting techniques, enabling meteorologists to provide accurate forecasts of storm weather developing over the coming hours.

Across much of Africa, intense rainfall events are damaging to agriculture and can be especially devastating for farmers. In severe cases, storms can also lead to fatalities, such as on Lake Victoria where thousands of fishers drown every year when their boats capsize in heavy weather. Intense rainfall events are predicted to increase in frequency due to climate change, heightening the threat to African communities.

Although nowcasting has been widely used in the USA, Europe and Asia, much of Africa does not possess the radar rainfall coverage that nowcasting systems rely upon. Instead, scientists have developed techniques to predict the behavior of storms using satellite data. FASTA users can also be alerted to any storms predicted to reach their location.

Doug Parker, FASTA director and professor of meteorology at NCAS and the University of Leeds, said, “Recent projects have shown how short-term warnings sent by the national weather services can save hundreds of lives a year on Lake Victoria. The FASTA app will put this kind of information in the hands of the users, for the first time.”

Bernard Chanzu, deputy director at KMD and leader of forecasting services, said, “Through our collaboration with FASTA, the KMD will be able to bring accurate real-time weather information to users in a mobile app for the first time.”

The app is the culmination of research carried out by scientists involved in the GCRF African SWIFT project to develop techniques for better and more accurate forecasting of severe weather in the Great Lakes region of Africa.

FASTA makes use of the information from satellite data provided by EUMETSAT, the European operational satellite agency for monitoring weather, climate and the environment from space. The nowcasting products were developed by EUMETSAT’s Nowcasting Satellite Applications Facility.

For the first few months following the launch, the app will be in an open testing phase to gather feedback for users and inform any further development of the service.

Although the app is initially being launched in Kenya, the FASTA team is hoping to collaborate with national weather services across other African countries in the future.

Previous ArticlePartners sought for development of early warning system for global water availability
Next Article MOSAiC teams publish key findings from landmark Arctic expedition

Read Similar Stories

Extreme Weather

Met Office releases global data set on humidity extremes

September 26, 20234 Mins Read
Climate Measurement

Major methane leak in the UK detected using satellites

September 22, 20232 Mins Read
Satellites

NOAA’s GOES-U satellite completes environmental testing ahead of launch

September 21, 20232 Mins Read
Latest News

VIDEO: The Met Office’s latest global data set reveals the importance of humidity extremes

September 26, 2023

NCAR tracks air pollution emissions across North America in six-week study

September 26, 2023

Met Office releases global data set on humidity extremes

September 26, 2023

Receive breaking stories and features in your inbox each week, for free


Enter your email address:


Supplier Spotlights
  • BOSCHUNG MECATRONIC Ltd.
Getting in Touch
  • Contact Us / Advertise
  • Meet the Editors
  • Download Media Pack
  • Free Weekly E-Newsletter
Our Social Channels
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
© 2023 UKi Media & Events a division of UKIP Media & Events Ltd
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Notice and Takedown Policy

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.

CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Functional

Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.

Performance

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

Analytics

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

Advertisement

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.

Others

Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.

SAVE & ACCEPT
Powered by